Riots in Tunisia Prepare Way for Islamists

The Arab Spring is bearing more bitter fruit in Tunisia, as fanatical Islamic Salafists prepare to take over the country. It has been almost two years since the Jasmine Revolution brought down the government, and last week there were more riots in Siliana against the new government. Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali, who firmly stated he would not remove the local governor, said that conflict between hardline Salafi Muslims and “leftist elites” is ratcheting up the internal struggle; he is trying to moderate between the two.

President Zine al Abidine Ben Ali, who had ruled for decades, was ousted by protesters in January 2011, in the first of the vaunted Arab Spring rebellions.

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In the riots, at least 200 people were injured and 17 people of those were blinded by birdshot fired by riot police.